Greetings from the sports desk located somewhere below decks of the Good Pirate Ship RedState. Sammy the Shark and Karl the Kraken are currently deep in intense research as they prepare their massive, 57-post analyzation of the upcoming WNBA playoffs …

Or not.

Anyway, pro and college football fill the activity slate for September 21 and 22. We start on the collegiate side of things, which got off to a superb start on September 20, as Illinois thoroughly spoiled the mood of Nebraska’s 400th consecutive home sellout crowd by winning in overtime 31-24. The game was intense fun from start to finish, with neither team leading by more than a touchdown, and play by both teams displaying two undeniable facts. One, each squad has legit talent; I was particularly impressed by Nebraska freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola and his ability to not overly focus on his primary option, instead surveying the entire field in an effort to make plays. He is one to watch. 

The other point is that this was college football, with defensive backs able to borderline mug receivers without fear of a pass interference call and some “ya gotta be kiddin’ me, kid” muffed plays. Also, going forward, Nebraska needs to have more than one player capable of kicking straight on the squad. A missed yet makable field goal near game’s end would have handed the Cornhuskers the victory. Still, considering how far the once-proud Nebraska football program had fallen over the past several years. It felt right to see them competitive again.

Elsewhere on the collegiate scene, a couple of matchups between Top 25 ranked teams highlight the agenda. The legendary Big 10 heartland of America rivalry between Michigan and … USC takes place in Ann Arbor. Snark over gerrymandered conferences aside, this should be a good indication of where each team is at in the playoffs pecking order. Utah and Oklahoma State face off in a game where fans of the game itself will be paying close attention due to the quality of each squad, especially when it’s the Cowboys' offense against the Utes' defense. In the game aside from USC-Michigan with the most national interest, Tennessee visits Oklahoma in the latter’s introduction to the SEC. Or the Volunteers’ introduction to where football is king.

The NFL got things started on September 19 with Aaron Rodgers finally playing like Aaron Rodgers again, leading the New York Jets to a tidy 24-3 win over the New England Patriots. Assuming the Jets' offensive line can keep him properly protected, the old Bear (you know Rodgers graduated from Cal, right?) may well still have sufficient roar left in him to get New York to the playoffs. 

The rest of the schedule features the scuffling 0-2 Baltimore Ravens visiting the 1-1 Dallas Cowboys, who were flat-out embarrassed at home last week by the surprising New Orleans Saints. Something has to give. Elsewhere, the 1-1 San Francisco 49ers visit the 0-2 Los Angeles Rams. With Los Angeles’ top two receivers out, and San Francisco without part or all of their hurting contingent consisting of the 49ers' top wide receiver, superstar tight end, and two best defensive players, the score figures to be either a 7-3 final or 45-42 before the half.

Did I mention the NHL preseason starts September 21?

Enjoy the weekend, everyone.